Thread: Contacts for Singapore & Malaysia

I'm busy investigating Malaysia & Singapore in terms of establishing a business high-tech consulting operation, with an outflow into specialised product manufacture - high-tech, high-value-added small-sized specialist items.

I'm planning on going off on a fact-finding tour early next year to try & evaluate the game in these two countries.

I'd really value information & links to the following:

1. Venture capitalists / investors;
2. Foreign business-establishment rules & contacts;
3. Relative cost-of-living - compared to Thailand;
4. Visas required for a South African national;
5. Any useful contacts, or business brokers, facilitators.
6. Inexpensive accommodation for a few weeks at a time.
7. Top 5 universities.

The thoughts are to investigate as far as possible beforehand & then doing a few exploratory trips. As I understand, a South African national can enter Singapore for up to 30 days at a time. I seem to remember Malaysia was something like 15 days.

I have a reasonable contact in Singapore who would probably be able to help a little on that end. In Malaysia, I know no-one.

Practically, I had performed a cursory level of due diligence a few years back, before settling on Thailand due to it's Detroit of Asia concept. Before that Singapore had been #1, with Malaysia #2. It seems like an opportune time to repeat the whole exercise.

Many thanks for your wisdom & assistance.

Lots of points to look at, most of which are easy to find on the web, but then theory is always different from practice.

Singapore now has a visa called the 'Entrepass', which is what we changed to from an employment pass just before acquiring PR there (wish we would have stayed! )

It's not that difficult to obtain and I doubt that South African nationals have different rules than Europeans or Australians (but I have no documentation for this)

I know of a venture capitalist company in Bangkok. The chap is thoroughly decent, so you might want to have a chat with him before you go to Singapore.

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Thanks so much PH for the info on the Entrepass visa. South Africans, as members of the commonwealth, have normally been fairly well treated. In the past, I visted there many times on short-stay.

Thanks MtD. Much obliged. I'll follow up on your very kind link - you are most kind.

This concept is something that has been incubated over some 8 years (I pioneered the blue-sky at a talk in Dortmund, Germany in 2000) & is now at the stage of needing to go to the next level. Until now, the computing power was simply not available to design the stuff I work with. My new technologies are very much on the bleeding edge of technology & I'm itching to get things into motion.

I think the thing that will be important at the end of the day is location & 'street address', but, obviously start-up costs are important. I'd thought to build a small lab-scale line here in Thailand first, but am a little concerned about being able to relocate the kit to another country at a later point, if required.

Hmmmmm just reread the OP to see if there is something else that I could add. Noticed that your interested in a "consulting" business. That changes the view substantially.

As a consultant you probably don't need a work permit unless you are actually getting paid in-country. That aside.

I've a very good friend that is a consultant to a segment of the hi-tech industry. Internationally known, has run the Asian forum (meetings, newsletters etc) for this segment for a number of years. Has lived in KL or near it for quite a few years. He is seriously considering moving/living in Thailand. As his business is now mainly in China it would make things easier. He is married to a Chinese Malay and they both want to move. Family issues preclude it at this time.

He is in Bangkok frequently for multiple weeks. He is really up-to-snuff on both Malaysia and Singapore.

I'm sure he wouldn't mind a couple of hours over a beer to describe the situation in both of your targets.

E.G.

Originally Posted by El Gibbon

Hmmmmm just reread the OP to see if there is something else that I could add. Noticed that your interested in a "consulting" business. That changes the view substantially.

As a consultant you probably don't need a work permit unless you are actually getting paid in-country. That aside.

I've a very good friend that is a consultant to a segment of the hi-tech industry. Internationally known, has run the Asian forum (meetings, newsletters etc) for this segment for a number of years. Has lived in KL or near it for quite a few years. He is seriously considering moving/living in Thailand. As his business is now mainly in China it would make things easier. He is married to a Chinese Malay and they both want to move. Family issues preclude it at this time.

He is in Bangkok frequently for multiple weeks. He is really up-to-snuff on both Malaysia and Singapore.

I'm sure he wouldn't mind a couple of hours over a beer to describe the situation in both of your targets.

E.G.

E.G., I'd be very grateful to meet your friend at his convenience. I'd really value the wisdom of many wise heads at this point. You guys have been wonderful.

Thanks so much.

What would the visa requirements then be, to stay in Malaysia, for instance? The consulting operation currently all occurs offshore, with a few scheduled visits to surrounding SE nations scheduled every few months. This is all billed offshore & remains there - in the main.

Originally Posted by El Gibbon

...Absolutely the worst situation imaginable for entrepreneurs that are truly leading edge. They expect you to perform to the same standards as any large corporation in the world. No freedom to 'spin' your own.

...

IN MY OPINION, all they were after was the opportunity to steal the technology and turn a quick buck.

...

Unless you have really strong Malay Chinese ties or Bumi Putra ties I would advise living there for a year prior to any investment. It is a gawd-awful place to try and do business by wester/european standards - you think the Thais like the backhander, just wait, the Malays are as bent as two cans of worms on a hot tin roof. At least the Thais leave a carcass where the Malays will leave a puddle.

...

Check the major brokerage houses/investment banks in Singapore, Merrill and Goldman, and most others had divisions set up in Singapore to do Venture Capital in Asia specifically. I visited both Merrill and Goldman and was nicely surprised.

E. G.

Thanks so much E.G. Your advice is well heeded. What an experience to have to go through. This technology-leeching issue is really a major problem, isn't it. This is my precise worry - deep-down.

I don't mind a fair shake in exchange for a fair place to do business. I have no problem in uplifting locals as they input - but, I most certainly will not let them steal my technology jewels.

I share your concerns, waterninja, about setting up here and then needing to move.

You can always contact the following for assistance:

http://www.spring.gov.sg/Content/HomePage.aspx

Mention that you intend to do a start-up and hire Singaporeans, that will help.

I used to be a VP for Lucent in APAC and Singapore was always a good base for testing new technology and the government has a keen interest to have as much going on there as possible.

Another positive aspect, of course, is security and the value of IP.

Let me have a look-see . . . .

Try this link:
SPRING - Work Pass

It is about employment passes for foreign entrepreneurs who are ready to start a business in Singapore.

(And I totally agree with EG on Malaysia. Stay away - it would be like going from the frying pan into the fire)

Originally Posted by panama hat

Try this link:
SPRING - Work Pass

It is about employment passes for foreign entrepreneurs who are ready to start a business in Singapore.

(And I totally agree with EG on Malaysia. Stay away - it would be like going from the frying pan into the fire)

Thanks so much PH, for your wisdom & wonderful links.

Seems like Malaysia would be a place to steer clear of.

those Chinese Educated LandLord are not the "sabai sabai" landlord you will find here in Thailand, much worse and more greedy, raising your rent by 50% one year to the next if they can get away with it,

Strange, elsewhere it is called supply and demand . . . add Chinese and it turns into greed. Amazing, simply amazing.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Seems really ambitious for a single person, are you alone on your tech adventure ? or do you have credible partners to go along ? if alone that will raise all kind of red flags for hi-tech financiers unless you are an "Academic authority" in the industry with decades of lecturing and have written books, and industry journals extensively.

Thanks BF.

Here's an odd thing. I'm a fellow who essentially put myself into partial retirement for a few years & devoted the time to research & development to get the stuff well settled.

Over the past year I have had people calling me up out of the blue & traveling out to see me. Some from the US, some from Singapore, one today from Germany. Folks contacting me from South Africa. It's weird. It is as though my name has got itself back into circulation in my previous sphere of influence & it honestly feels like they're 'coming to the oracle'.

I have the top rocket scientist in India working with me as an academic mentor on a joint-program with Tokyo. I've been invited to register at Tokyo - an honour in itself.

I do have a few new academic papers out on my website, but other than that, I have kept a low profile. It is radical stuff, in that it answers the question to a 300 year-old problem hidden in the Navier-Stokes equations - turbulence. I'm currently using these findings to invent a new form of energy-pumping (unpublished).

I have no real understanding why folks seem to be beating a path to my door - one is the technology guru of the Copper Club. It's weird, & I really feel it's time to re-establish myself - something's on the brew & my gut tells me to play my hand. This gut feel began a year back.

Originally Posted by panama hat

add Chinese and it turns into greed. Amazing, simply amazing.

you are probably right, but the Chinese are known for being opportunist kunts, this is a just reminder of their style when they can get away with it,

We only had Chinese landlords and they couldn't have been nicer people - didn't raise the rent more than inflation.

It just seems the same when people talk about Thailand; it's always the
awful Thai Chinese that are to blame for everything.

When it comes to working with or generally dealing with Thais I prefer the Thai Chinese . . .

As for being opportunistic . . . that's a fatuous argument.

Originally Posted by panama hat

When it comes to working with or generally dealing with Thais I prefer the Thai Chinese

Actually they are the only ones with a clue here, so yes if you need to work here, you need to learn how to deal with them,

Anyway just throwing generalities here

some of the singapore chinese are the nicest people you could meet. and some of them are cnuts. but mostly if you are nice then they are nice.

as for malaysia, i think you might as well forget it unless you know some bumis who dont want to rip you off

Originally Posted by watterinja

I do have a few new academic papers out on my website, but other than that, I have kept a low profile. It is radical stuff, in that it answers the question to a 300 year-old problem hidden in the Navier-Stokes equations - turbulence. I'm currently using these findings to invent a new form of energy-pumping (unpublished).

Not sure what is the topic of your research (you can PM me for what it is out of intellectual curiosity) but if it's GREEN or renewable energy, then it's "hot" these days, and dotcom financiers and private equity firms are desperate to find the holly grail, so they are probably knocking at every door. Good opportunity would show then if you have already published "hints" through the Academic channels.

Originally Posted by watterinja

What would the visa requirements then be, to stay in Malaysia, for instance? The consulting operation currently all occurs offshore, with a few scheduled visits to surrounding SE nations scheduled every few months. This is all billed offshore & remains there - in the main.

Actually this could be an issue if you move to Singapore or open a business there, their tax office is pretty clear that working there means you can't double bill offshore. Tax for businesses is low though, 10%, but their social tax, and you will need to pay if self-employed, is about 30% if I am not mistaken.

Well, if you do it correctly you can pay very, very little tax.

As an employee I never paid more than 12% and self-employed I never scratched the double figures.

Having said that, paying tax in Singapore is not an ordeal - you actually see what the tax dollars are going for and the infrastructure is so brilliant that one actually doens't mind paying taxes.

Butterfly is correct about offshore billing, however . . . but there is always the option of billing from another place and into an off-shore account in HK or so . . .

^ The offshore billing can be managed directly through my current offshore bankers. Basically register a business/trust there & they send out the invoices etc.

Thanks so much everyone for your very kind comments, links & thoughts.

I sat with someone yesterday & now understand how the Thai business set-up side works. No real major hassles - except for minor inconveniences. I'll continue the investigation thoroughly & tap a few contacts at Government level (a small world it is), plus MtD's very kind link. But, basically, I'm not convinced Thailand is really where I need to be in the long term. The culture of 'mae pen ray' & high-tech are poles apart.

I've been told by a few folks that Singapore is the 'correct street address' & I'm really going to investigate this as far as possible. Another plus for me there, is that one of the clients I service internationally, has its Asian offices located in Singapore. This could actually allow me to better service their interests in the greater S.E.Asian region.

I'm also going to try & open up some contacts at some of the Singaporean Universities. I have a few folks I've met at conferences over the past few years & I think there could be some interest there. My Indian professor/mentor is also very well connected in those circles. This could provide some level of academic local credentials.

Originally Posted by panama hat

s an employee I never paid more than 12% and self-employed I never scratched the double figures.

Having said that, paying tax in Singapore is not an ordeal - you actually see what the tax dollars are going for and the infrastructure is so brilliant that one actually doens't mind paying taxes.

I believe self employed pay as much as 25% or even more, I have seen that on some official website, or does it include income tax ? not sure.

But yes tax is spent wisely there, the city is as beautiful as ever and growing fast. Still the best city to do business in the region. And not that expensive actually, a good value (except for properties).

Could I ask for information on lowish-cost apartments which I could use as a base from which to explore on visits to Singapore, Malaysia?

Also, how many times could one come & go from Malaysia & Singapore during the exploration phase? Is there any limit on the number of re-entries.

The general idea would be to retain my current small apartment/office I have here in Thailand & then travel to Singapore & Malaysia for periods of say up to 30 days - if required - to perform a thorough review & meet as many relevant folks as possible. I'd need a small place in each place where I could check in for say 20 - 30 days at a time & uses as a research base - alllowing me to still service my ongoing internet business fairly seamlessly. I'll set up alternate mobile numbers for each country - the rest can be done via Skype.

whats your definition of 'lowish cost'?

i don't know of any that i would call 'lowish cost' in singapore.

now you will need to pay at least S$3k a month for an apartment. The rental has really sky rocketed here.

Maybe you could get a studio place for 1.5k a month if you dont mind all your neighbours being hookers and nigerian con men.